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David S. Kerruish, PS

(206) 386–4710
david@kerruishlaw.com
7016 ‐ 35th Avenue NE
Seattle, WA 98115-5917

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  • Consultation

    Consultation

    I consult with clients on questions of residential and commercial real estate, contracts, small business organizations, loans and security interests, and business planning.

  • Dispute Resolution

    Dispute Resolution

    I represent clients in the Washington State Superior and appellate courts, the United States Bankruptcy, District and Circuit courts, and in private arbitration.

  • Mediation, Arbitration and Expert Analysis

    Mediation, Arbitration and Expert Analysis

    I serve as a private mediator and arbitrator of disputes, and provide expert opinions on real estate and business issues.

Real Estate and Business Advice

Whether you are buying a home, building a structure or developing a community, seeking timely legal advice is an important part of the success of your project. When you are trying to protect your business investment, or seeking compensation, representation in the dispute resolution process ensures you can make informed choices. If you need a third party to help you resolve a dispute, an experienced lawyer can help you and your opponent resolve the dispute through mediation. I can serve as an advocate for my clients, or as a mediator to resolve disputes between parties that I don’t represent.

About Me

I have 40 years of law practice experience, many of those advising and representing clients in matters related to their real estate or business interests. My clients engage in business in all parts of Western Washington, including all of the Puget Sound region, with offices in cities such as Seattle, Bellevue and Tacoma. I represent larger, regional companies with extensive real estate investments, as well as family businesses. By including document drafting and litigation in my practice, I have acquired a broader perspective on the needs of my clients, making me a better drafter and litigator. My experience also provides me with the skills needed for effective mediation and arbitration of real estate and business disputes.

david-kerruish

COLLEGE EDUCATION

  • Oregon State University, Bachelor of Science – Speech Communication, Broadcasting, 1977, with honors.
  • University of Oregon School of Law – Juris Doctor, 1980.

CAREER EMPLOYMENT POSITIONS

  • Associate, Trethewey, Brink, Todd & Clayton, 1980-1986; Associate, Ordal & Jones, PS, 1986-1996;
  • Shareholder, Ordal, Kerruish & Kaseburg, PLLC, 1996-1997; David S. Kerruish, PS, 1997-present.

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION

In addition to attending numerous continuing legal education courses over the course of my career, I have frequently served as a lecturer on real estate, contract, business and litigation issues for the King County Bar Association, the Washington State Bar Association and several private legal seminar organizations.  My resume contains a list of many of the subjects of my continuing legal education presentations.

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

I have received an “AV Preeminent” rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating possible from the foremost lawyer rating service in the country.  I have been named to “SuperLawyers” of Washington State numerous times during the past fifteen years, and have been named by Seattle Magazine and Seattle Metropolitan Magazine as one of the best lawyers in my field of real estate, on multiple occasions.

SERVICE TO THE BAR AND PUBLIC

In addition to serving on committees of the local and state bar associations, I served on the King County Bar Association’s Board of trustees as Secretary.  I donate my time to King County when acting as an arbitrator for the King County mandatory arbitration program, and serve as a mediator in the United States Bankruptcy Court’s mediation program.

RESUME

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David S. Kerruish

Rated by Super Lawyers

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My Services

My expertise lies in real estate ownership, financing, improvement and sale. Whether you need advice for your family or your business, knowledge of the law which applies to your real estate or business investment can not only make your task simpler, it can mean the difference between success, or problems in the future. Having the right terms in a purchase agreement, or adequate protection from future disputes in a construction contract is the type of risk control that is just as important to individuals as it is for large companies.

Real Estate

My real estate expertise focuses upon the development, construction, sale and financing of residential and commercial projects. A significant portion of my work concerns the creation of covenants and easements, resolution of boundary and property use issues, and formation of agreements involving land owners. My clients are residential and commercial contractors and subcontractors, brokers, escrow agents, lenders, property managers, investors, sellers and buyers. I have participated in the creation of master plan communities, commercial shopping centers and multi‐family projects, both for use as apartments and as condominiums.

Business

Most types of written agreements encountered in small and medium‐size enterprises have been prepared by me during my years of representing entrepreneurs, small businesses and investment groups. I have provided advice on all types of contract issues, employment and independent contractor relationships, and I have formed most types of entities recognized under Washington State law. I have assisted couples who need agreements describing their financial rights and responsibilities prior to or during marriage, and advised clients who experience financial challenges, and are considering bankruptcy or creditor work‐out plans. I help clients plan how to grow their business by utilizing the appropriate written agreements, defining their relationships with partners, vendors, lenders, employees, and customers.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

I serve as a mediator, both for private parties seeking my expertise to resolve a dispute without litigation, and as a panel member of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington’s mediation program. My mediation services focus on the same areas of the law as I describe for my expertise – real estate and business issues. I also serve as an arbitrator of private disputes, and have been a member of the panel of King County Superior Court arbitrators for many years. Private resolution of a dispute, without the formality of a courtroom appearance and scheduled for the parties’ convenience in an informal setting can provide prompt determination of a dispute by a person familiar with the law applicable to the dispute – rather than by a judge hearing mostly criminal law cases in the District or Superior Court. My mediation and arbitration services are affordable both because of the hourly rate for my services, and the sharing of the cost between the parties involved in the dispute.

Litigation – Consultation and Representation

I am licensed to practice, and have appeared, in all courts of the State of Washington, in the United States District Court, the United States Bankruptcy Court for both the Western and Eastern Districts of Washington, and in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Appearing in court, however, is a small part of a litigation practice. I advise my clients on the steps needed to position for success in litigation, counsel when to start or avoid a lawsuit, help gather the facts needed for presentation of the case in court, and suggest strategies for conducting the case. When needed, I have participated in or taken the lead in appellate cases, in Washington State Court of Appeals and the Washington State Supreme Court. My litigation practice helps me anticipate the types of problems which typically arise in real estate and business relationships, and draft better documents to avoid a lawsuit.

Expert Opinion

Because of my years of real estate and business experience, I have been called upon to provide expert opinions on real estate and business matters in court, serving as an expert witness. My analysis and testimony can assist a litigant in the courtroom presentation of a technical or nuanced area of real estate or business law, and my observations can assist in the design of an effective presentation.

Projects and Clients

Residential Multi-Family – Seattle

I provided legal support at every phase of project; creation of the ownership entity, negotiation of the construction contract, representation of the owner for acquiring permanent financing.

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Suburban Shopping Center and Ice Arena

This project was a joint venture of my client and others. This multi-use site involved conversion of existing commercial buildings and construction of new structures.

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Single-Family Residential Communities

I prepare covenants and easements for large residential communities, negotiate and prepare transfers of common areas to homeowners associations, the public and conservation organizations.

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Multi-State Real Estate Investment Company

I serve as outside general counsel for a multi-state real estate ownership group, which provides specialized, commercial use space for small businesses and artisans.

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Cooperative Housing Communities in Seattle, Bainbridge Island and Olympia

I prepared all agreements among members, condominium declarations or proprietary leases for Puget Sound area co-housing communities, by meeting with members, participating in their consensus-building processes and explaining the way in which such agreements take the projects from start to finish.

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Contact

7016 – 35th Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98115-5917
Business Hours
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Phone
(206) 386 – 4710

Email
david@kerruishlaw.com